Fruit marking apparatus



@et 25, 1938. H. A. HAMM FRUIT MARKING APPARATUS Filed Sept. l2, 1936 7 Sheets-Sheet A2 INVENTOR. H. A. HA MM.

ct. 25, '1938. H. A. HAMM FRUIT MARKING APPARATUS Filed Sept. l2, 1936 7 Sheets-Sheetl 3 INVENTOR, HA MM ct. 25, 1938. H A HAMM l 2,134,04

FRUIT MARKING APPARATUS Filed Sept. l2, 1936 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 n /f/ :E

INVENTOR. H A. H MM.

BY K

Oct. 25, 1938. H A. HAMM 2,134,041

FRUIT MARKING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 12, 1956 7 Sheecs--Sheetl 5 1M 'ENTOR H. A HA /V/ H. A. HAMM FRUIT MARKING APPARATUS Filed Sept. l2, 1936 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 las@ INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY,

@et Z5, 1938. H. A. HAMM FRUIT MARKING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 12, 1936 '7 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR. H A. HA /W/W.

I'atentefl UCI. ZD, IU

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 17 Claims.

'Ihis invention relates to fruit marking apparatus.

The general object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus for marking trademarks or other indicia on objects of various shapes, such as cylindrical, spherical, flat, or irregular objects.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a novel branding machine which will handle fragile and perishable articles without damage and wherein the brand is applied in a novel manner.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel flexible stencil and mounting therefor for use in branding objects of various shapes.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel conveyor device for use in a branding machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel means for cleaning the stencil of a branding apparatus.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel article support for use in a branding apparatus.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel adjustment for the conveyor of a branding apparatus.

Other objects and the advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, of a branding apparatus embodying the features of my invention;

g5 Fig. 2 is a section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional detail with parts in elevation showing a spool construction;

Fig. 5 is a section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary, end View of the apparatus showing the stencil drive and associated parts;

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary section taken on line 'I-'I of Fig. 1 with the fruit conveyors omitted;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary, sectional view showing the fruit conveyors and the spray operating trip;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary, top plan View of the conveyor;

Fig. l0 is a View of the following end of the fruit conveyor frames with the canvas omitted;

Fig. 11 is a View of the forward end of the fruit conveyor frames with the canvas omitted;

Fig. 12 is a plan view of the fruit showing the brand mark thereon;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary, plan view of the stencil;

Fig. 14 is a sectional view through the stencil drive wheel;

Fig. 15 is a diagrammatic view showing the movement of the fruit basket;

Fig. 16 is an enlarged fragmentary, sectional 5 detail of the jack mechanism;

Fig. 17 is a section taken on line IE--IB of Fig. 15;

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary, sectional view showing a modified form of conveyor frame and fruit bas- 10 ket;

Fig. 19 is a fragmentary, top plan view showing the modification;

Fig. 20 is an end view of the fruit basket;

Fig. 21 is a sectional view taken on line 2I-2I 15 of Fig. 19;

Fig. 22 is a view similar to Fig. 8 showing a further modification of the conveyor frame and fruit basket;

Fig. 23 is a top view of the modified frame; 20

Fig. 24 is an end view of the modified form of frame;

Fig. 25 is a side elevation showing a further modied form of fruit conveyor;

Fig. 26 is a top view of the modication shown 25 in Fig. 25;

Fig. 27 is an end view of the modification shown in Fig. 25;

Fig. 28 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 25 and showing a modified form of stencil cleaning ap- 30 paratus;

Fig. 29 is a fragmentary end view of the modified apparatus shown in Fig. 28;

Fig. 30 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional View taken on line 30-30 of Fig. 28; 35

Fig. 31 is a fragmentary, sectional View taken on line 3I-3I of Fig. 28;

Fig. 32 is a fragmentary, sectional View taken on line 32-32 of Fig. 28; and

Fig. 33 is an enlarged, fragmentary section 40 through the stencil tape shown in Fig. 28.

Referring to the drawings by reference characters I have shown my invention as embodied in a fruit branding apparatus which is indicated generally at I0. As shown the apparatus includes 45 a base I I having standards I2 thereon which support a horizontally disposed base I3. This base I3 is braced by suitable members I4 on which shafts I5 are mounted. The shafts I5 each support a pair of spaced wheels I6 over which endless 50 chains Il move.

These chains II are driven by sprockets I8 mounted on a shaft I9 on the base I3 and which has a sprocket 20 thereon which is driven by a chain 2l which passes over a sprocket 22 on a 55 shaft 23. The shaft 23 has a sprocket 24 thereon which is driven by a chain 25. The chain 25 is driven by a sprocket 26 mounted on a shaft 21 on a motor 28 and the construction is such that when the motor operates the sprocket I8 will be rotated thus driving the two reaches of the chain I1.

The chains I1 are of the usual link type and the two chains are shown as spaced apart a sufcient distance to accommodate four conveyor members 3U therebetween. These conveyor mem bers include rods 3| which act as pivots for the links of the chain I1 (see Fig. '1) and on these rods 3| I mount conveyor frames or fruit baskets which are indicated generally at 32. As clearly shown in Figs. 8 to 11, inclusive, each of the conveyor frames 32 includes a pair of spaced side plates 33 which are connected adjacent their front ends by a transverse tube 34 mounted on a rod 3| and adjacent the opposite ends by a rod 35 with the rod 35 at a lower elevation than the tube 34. (See Figs. 10 and 11.)

Adjacent each of the side plates the tube 34 has an upstanding arm 36 suitably secured thereto as by welding. The arms 36 support a substantially elliptical wire frame 31. Adjacent the arms 36 the frame 31 has a depending trunnion member 38 welded thereto which is pivotally con- ,nected to the arms 36 as at 39. Surrounding the rod 35 I provide a pair of torque springs ,4U (see Fig. 11).

As shown one end of each of the springs 40 is suitable anchored to the adjacent side plate 33 and adjacent the center the ends of the springs 40 are suitably secured to a depending lug 4I which is welded to the frame 31. The springs 4I! are arranged to urge the frame 31 towards the tube 34. To restrict this movement of the frame 31 I provide lips 42 on the arms 36 which engage the lower edges of the side plates 33.

As explained the conveyor devices 32 are positioned on the conveyor chains with the conveyor chain rods 3| positioned in the tubes 34 and suitable spacing tubes 43 are positioned between the rows of conveyor devices 32 and between the conveyor chains I1 and the adjacent devices 32 as clearly shown in Fig. 9.

The base I3 includes longitudinal side angle members I 3 having an upper track surface I3 and intermediate the side members I3 the base includes a plurality of spaced longitudinal rail members 44. When the conveyor devices 32 are operatively positioned on the conveyor chains I1 v the ends of the rods 35 rest on and slide along the tracks 44 and the outer ends of the rods 35 of the outer conveyor devices rest on and slide along the track surface I3 of the side members I3.

The mounting of the fruit basket compensates for any difference in speed between the portion of the stencil over the top of the fruit and the speed of the chain. Normally the pitch diameter line of the dru i. e. the centers A of the spools and the chain travel at the same speed but when the stencil projects above the pitch line of the drum as at B in Fig. 15 when a large fruit C is engaged the stencil at this point travels slower than the chain. So with the fruit basket constructed as it is it swings rearwardly moving it slightly away from the drum center against the action of the springs 40 and also causing a slight rearward movement of the basket relative to the chains I1. 'I'his movement retains the fruit in a proper relation to the stencil during a spraying operation so that the stencil mark is not blurred.

Adjacent the under reach of the conveyor chain I provide a plurality of spaced longitudinal tracks 45 which match the upper tracks 44 and support the rods 35 of the conveyor devices 32 when along the under reach of the conveyor chain. As shown at 46 in Fig. 1 each end of the tracks 45 is curved upward to receive the rods 35 of the conveyor devices 32.

Mounted in each of the standards I2 I show a rod 50 the lower portion of which is threaded and the upper end of which supports a frame 5I. As clearly shown in Figs. 16 and 17 a threaded sleeve 52 is positioned on the threaded portion of each of the rods 50 and has a sprocket wheel 53 thereon. All the sprockets 53 are connected by a sprocket chain 54 as clearly shown in Fig. '1.

Surrounding one of the sleeves 52 and suitably secured thereto by a key I provide a ratchet hub 55 having a plurality of equally spaced ratchet grooves 55 spaced therearound. Surrounding the ratchet hub 55 I provide a ratchet wrench 56 which may be of any desired type having areversible pawl 51 to engage the ratchet 4grooves 56 of the ratchet hub to rotate the hub in either one direction or the other.

When the ratchet wrench 51 is rotated it will rotate the ratchet hub 56 which in turn will rotate the associated sleeve 52 and sprocket 53 which in turn will move the sprocket chain 54. When the sprocket chain 54 is thus moved it will rotate the other sprocket wheels 53 thus causing all the rods 50 to move either upwardly or downwardly depending upon the direction of rotation of the sprockets thereby either raising or lowering the frame 5I to accommodate articles having a wide range of sizes.

Vertical channel members 6| extend from the top of the frame 5I These channel members are shown as connected at their upper ends by angle bars 62 and intermediate their ends by channel bars 63. Supported between the members 6I and 63 I show a tank or receptacle 64 which has a top wall 65, an end wall 66, .a bottom wall 61, and an inclined bottom wall 68, as clearly shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

Mounted on the frame 5I I show a shaft 69 which supports a drum 10 which consists of end members 1I connected by transverse shafts 12 on which spool members 13 (see Fig. 4) are'rotatably mounted and which are held spaced apart by sleeves 14. Each of the spool members includes an outwardly directed ange 15 adjacent each end which serves to guide a stencil member 16 which may be made of spring brass or other suitable material and which comprises a series of connected sections removably united by a hinge 16 to form an endless band. The stencil member 16 is provided with suitable apertures 11 through which material is sprayed to effect the branding operation.

Each of the stencils 16 is supported on the drum 10 and on an idle roller 18 which is mounted on one arm 19 of a bell crank 80 which is pivoted as at 8| and the other varm 82 of which is engaged by a spring 82' to normally pull the bell crank to one position. The arm 82 is engaged by a rod 83 which passes through a tube 84 in the wall ofthe bottom 68 of the receptacle and which is connected to an .arm of a bell crank 86 which is pivoted as at 81 on a shaft which is supported on the member 63 and on brackets 89 supported on the vertical member 6I. The other arm 90 of the bell crank supports a roller 9| from which the stencil 16 continues from the drum 10.

After passing through slots 9| in the bottom 68 the stencil members pass over the rollers 9| and each passes down to a roller 92 mounted on a shaft 93 .arranged on a bracket 94, whence it passes to a roller 95 arranged on a shaft 96 from which it passes on to the roller 18. The rollers 95 are provided with pins 95 which fit in holes 95" in the stencil sothat when the rollers 95 are rotated the stencils will be driven.

The purpose of the rollers 18 and 9| is to take up slack and maintain proper tension in the stencil 16. Since the roller 9| serves to take up tension in two reaches of the stencil while the roller 18 serves to take up tension in one reach I preferably attach the rod 83 to the arms 85 and 82 so that the effective length of the arm 85 is twice that of the arm 82.

Arranged on the receptacle 65 and rotatably mounted on the walls thereof I show brushes 91 which are mounted directly .above the rollers 92. Above each brush 91 I show a pair of brushes 98 and 99 which are supported in adjacent relation on bars disposed on the container 64. Be-

tween the rollers 18 and 95 I provide two pairs of brushes |0|, |82, |03, and |04. The brushes |0|, |02, |03, and |04 have spur gears |05, |06, |01, and |08, respectively, mounted thereon, and coaxial with the gears |06 and |08 are sprocket gears |09 and ||0 over which a chain passes.

Coaxial with the gear |08 I show a sprocket gear ||2 over which a chain I3 passes and which is driven by a sprocket H4 on the shaft 96. On the shaft 96 is another sprocket ||6 by which a chain ||1 is driven. The chain ||1 passes over a sprocket ||8 on a shaft ||9 and on this shaft ||9 is a gear |20 which meshes with a gear |2I. The gears |20 and |2| are mounted on the brushes 99 and 98, respectively. The shaft ||9 is provided with a sprocket |22 which drives a chain |23 and a sprocket |24 on a shaft |25 which supports the brushes 91. The brushes 91 contact the rollers 92 previously described.

In order to drive the stencils a shaft |26 mounted in brackets |21 on one of the channel members 6| has a worm |28 thereon which meshes with a worm wheel |30 on the shaft 96. 'Ihe shaft I9 has worm |32 mounted thereon which meshes with a worm wheel |33 splined on the shaft |26 so that it may slide therealong when the frame is being raised.

In order to drive the drum I provide a sprocket |36 on the shaft 96 and this sprocket drives a chain |31 on a sprocket |38 mounted on the shaft 69.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that when the motor |20 operates the shaft 96 will be driven and consequently the stencil will be advanced and the brushes will operate to engage the stencil.

In order to mark through the stencil brand 11 onto the fruit I mount a nozzle |40 of la stencil spraying apparatus on .a support I 4| arranged on the frame 5|. The nozzle is directed downwardly as shown in Fig. 1 and is connected by a pipe |42 to a container |43 for branding material. The nozzle |40 is connected a`s shown in Fig. 1 by a pipe |44 with a control valve |45 (see Fig. 8). 'I'he control valve |45 communicates through a pipe |46 with a suitable source of compressed air not shown and the valve |45 is provided withan operating stern |41 which is engaged by an operating lever |48 pivoted as at |49 to the frame 5|. The lever |48 is normally urged so that the valve remains closed due to a spring |50 pulling the lever. The spring engages an eye bolt |5|. The lever is provided with an inclined surface |52 which is engaged by one of the rods 35 as shown in Fig. 8. The valve |45 is so set that the weight of the conveyor frame alone will not be sufficient to open the valve but will require that the Weight of a fruit on the conveyor will be necessary in order to open the valve; thus when any empty conveyor frames pass the spraying station there would be no discharge of the branding material on the empty frame.

In the operation of my apparatus fruit is placed in the frames 32 in any suitable manner and as these frames advance each passes beneath the stencil marking portion 11.

As previously described the flexible mounting of the fruit carriage and the stencil allows for various sizes of the fruit. When the fruit is at the spraying station below the nozzle |40 the valve |45 is operated by the rocking of the lever |48 so that the fruit is branded after which it passes on to be packed. The stencil moves away from the spraying station and enters the tank 64. In this tank I provide a suitable solvent for a stencil material and the stencil passes through this solvent thence upwardly where it is in thesolvent and the branding material is wiped off by the brushes after which the stencil returns to its former position and the operation is repeated.

As branding material I may use vegetable lacquer and as a'solvent for wiping off the branding m-aterial I may use lacquer thinner. All the other material may be employed as desired.

In Figs. 18 to 21, inclusive, I have indicated a modied form of conveyor member generally at |60. As shown each of the conveyor members |60 includes spaced side plates |6| apertured as at |62 adjacent their leading ends to receive the chain rods 3|. The opposite or rear ends of the plates |6| include a dependent portion |63 having an elongated notch |63' therein in which a rod |64 is positioned. The rods |64 like the rods 3| act as pivots for certain of the links of the chains |1.

Pivoitally mounted on the rod 3| adjacent the side plates |6| I provide arms |65 which are connected by a transverse bar |66. The arms |65 curve upwardly to a point intermediate the rods 3| and |64 where they are pivotally secured as at |61 to a basket member |68. As shown the basket member |68 is bowl-shaped and has the inner surface thereof covered with felt or other suitable material as indicated at |69.

A coiled torque spring |10 surrounding the rod 3| adjacent each of the arms |65 and having one end hooked over the top of the adjacent side plate |6| and the opposite end hooked under the transverse bore |66 resiliently retains the arms |65 and the basket |68 in a raised position. Secured to the transverse bar |66 I provide a rod |1| which extends towards the rod |64 and has Van enlarged head |12 thereon.

The basket |68 has an apertured lug |13 depending therefrom in which the rod |1| is positioned. Washers |14 are provided on the rod |1| on each side of the lug 13 and adjacent the transverse bar |66 the rod |1| has a sleeve |15 thereon which includes an enlarged head |16. Surrounding the rod |1| between the sleeve head |16 and the lug |13 I provide a coiled spring |11 and surrounding the rod |1| between 75 the head |12 thereof and the lug |13 I provide a similar coiled spring |18.

When the conveyor devices are operatively assembled suitable spacing tubes |19 are positioned between the rows of conveyor devices |60 and between the conveyor chains |1 and the adjacent devices |60 as clearly shown in Fig. 19.

When the conveyor devices |60 are used the valve operating arm |48 is replaced by a valve operating arm which at its forward end has a roller |8| thereon which is adapted to be engaged by the enlarged portion |63 of one of the side plates |6| to actuate the arm |80 to operate the valve |45 in the same manner as previously descibed in connection with the conveyor devices 32.

In Figs. 22, 23, and 24 I have shown a modied form of conveyor mechanism which is indicated generally at |85. As shown this conveyor mechanism includes a plurality of conveyor members |86 each of which includes a pair of opposing side plates |81, the front ends of which are apertured to receive the rods 3| which serve as links of the chain |1. Suitable sleeves |88 and |89 serve to space the side pl-ates |81 apart. Adjacent the rear the side plates |81 are secured together by a rod |88. Intermediate the rod |88 and the rod 3| a rod |89 connects the side plates |81. Above and in the rear of the rod |88 each of the side plates |81 has an outwardly projecting pin |90 thereon. Adjacent the rear of the conveyor member I provide a frame 9| which is made of a single length of wire.

As shown they frame |9| includes a straight transverse reach |92 and side reaches |93 extending forward past the rod |88 where it curves downwardly and rearwardly as at |93 forming an `elongated slot |94. The ends of the frame wire are pivotally mounted in the pins |90 as indicated at |95. (See Fig. 24.) Positioned in the slots |94 of the frame |9| I provide a rod |96. The frame |9| forms in connection with a strip of canvas |91 a conveyor pocket member |98. As shown one end of the canvas |91 is secured to the rod |89 and extends forwardly passing under the rod |96 and thence over the rod |92 to which'it is secured. The canvas |91 is secured to the rod |96 by an elongated metal clamping band |99. Adjacent the rod |96 U- shaped spring members 200 are provided. The ends of the spring members 200 are positioned in apertures 20| of the cl-amp |99 and extend outwardly around the sides of the canvas |91. The tension of the springs 200 resiliently retains the rear end of the pocket raised above the for--v ward end as cle-arly shown in Fig. 22.

The compensating action described in connection with the conveyor members 32 .is taken care of by the frame |9|. For example, when the fruit 202 passes the drum 10 the`frame. |9| swings downwardly and rearwardly to lcompensate for the difference in travel of the stencil and the conveyor device. Adjacent the pocket |98 each of the side plates |81 has a rubber cushioning member |81 thereon to prevent the fruit from coming in contact with the edges of the side plates.

The side plates |81 taper downwardly to a low point 203 below the rod |88 and then incline upward to form a cam portion for actuating a lever arm 204 which is adapted to actuate a paint spray air control valve similar to the previously described control valve |45.

In Figs. 25, 26, and 27, I have indicated a modified form of conveyor member generally at 205.

As shown the conveyor member 205 includes spaced side plates which are apertured adjacent their leading ends to receive the rods 3| of the chains I1. The opposite or rear ends of the plates 206 include depending portions 201 having an elongated notch 208 therein in which the rod |64 is positioned.

Pivotally mounted on the rod 3| adjacent the side plates 206 I provide arms 209 which are connected by a transverse' bar 2|0. Forward of the bar 2|0 the arms 209 curve upwardly and then extend rearwardly in a straight portion 2| Secured to the portions 2|| of the arms 209 I provide a pair of spaced transverse rods 2 I 2 which have roller members 2 3 -pivo'tally mounted thereon. As shown in Figs. 26 and 27 the roller members 2| 3 are formed arcuate as indicated at 2|4.

A coiled torque spring 2|5 surrounds the rod 3| adjacent each of the arms 209 and has one end hooked over the top of the adjacent side plate 206 and the opposite end hooked under the transverse bar 2|0 resiliently retains the arms and the rollers 2 i3 in a raised position.

When the conveyor devices 205 are operatively assembled suitable spacing sleeves 2|6 are positioned between the rows of conveyor devices 205 and between the chains |1 and the adjacent conveyor devices as shown in Fig. 26.

When the conveyor devices 205 are used the depending portion 201 of one of the side plates is adapted to actuate a paint spray air valve lever arm as previously described in connection with the conveyor devices |60.

In Figs. 28 to 33 I have shown a modified form of stencil tape which is indicated at 220 and a modified form of stencil cleaning mechanism. As shown the stencil tape 220 comprises an endless strip of heavy paper or other suitable flexible material.

When the stencil tape 220 is used the drive drums and the brushes 91, 98, |0|, |02, |03, and |04, together with their associated drive mechanisms are omitted and replaced by devices to be hereinafter described.

When the stencil 220 is used it is positioned over the idle roller 18 and extends downward and over the spool members 13 of the drum 10 and thence upwardly through a slot 9| and over idle roller 9| and then downwardly and around the idle roller 92 in the same manner as previously described in connection with the stencil 16.

From the idle roller 92 the stencil 220 extends upward over a drive drum 22| and thence horizontally to the idle roller 18 passing between a cutting roller 222 and its associated roller 223 and between a pair of brushes 224 and 225 and betweenA a pair of smoothing rollers 226 and 221. The drive drum 22| is provided with pins 228 which fit in suitable holes in the stencil 220 so that when the drum 22| rotates the stencil 220 will be driven in the same manner as previously described in connection with the stencil 16. (See Fig. 30.)

The drive drum 22| is formed hollow and at one end has a hub portion 229 which is rotatably mounted in a boss 230 on the container 65. Positioned in the drum I provide an electric heating coil 23| the lead wires of which extend out of the drum and container through a suitable insulated tube 23| positioned in the hub 229. Opposite the hub 229 the drum includes a boss 232 having a shaft 233 secured thereto which is rotatably mounted in a bearing member 234 on the container. Secured to the shaft 233 I provide sprocket gears 235 and 236.

The roller 223 is suitably secured to a shaft 231 which is suitably rotatably supported on the container. The brush 225 is secured to a shaft 238 which is suitably rotatably supported on the container 65 and has a gear 239 secured thereto. (See Fig. 29.) The smoothing roller 221 is secured to a shaft 24| which is suitably rotatably supported on the container 65 and has a sprocket 242 secured thereto.

The knife roller 222 is mounted on a shaft 243 and the brush 224 is mounted on a shaft 244. The shafts 243 and 244 are rotatably supported in a frame 245 and extend out of the container 65 through suitable apertures 246. (See Fig. 31.) The shaft 243 has a sprocket 241 thereon and the shaft 244 has a sprocket 248 thereon.

'I'he frame 245 adjacent each side includes a pair of spaced vertical threaded rods 249 which extend through suitable supports 250 mounted on the container 65. The rods 249 are supported by nuts 25| thereon by means of which the frame may be raised or lowered. Lock nuts 252 on the rods 249 retain the frame in an adjusted position.

The frame 245 is in the shape of a hollow container having the bottom thereof open and preferably has a transverse partition 253 between the knife roller 222 and the brush 224. The frame 245 has a conduit member 254 thereon which opens into the interior of the frame and the conduit 254 connects with a flexible tube 255 which communicates with a suitable suction device not shown.

The smoothing roller 226 is secured to a shaft 256 which is rotatably supported in an inverted U-shaped frame 251. The shaft 256 extends out Iof the container 65 through a suitable aperture 258 and has a sprocket 259 secured thereto. (See Figs. 29 and 32.) Adjacent each side the frame 251 includes vertical threaded rods 269 which extend through the supports 259. The rods 266 are supported by nuts 26| by means of which the rods and frame may be either raised or lowered and lock nuts 262 retain the frame in an adjusted position.

In operation the knife roller 222 and the brush 224 are preferably spaced above the stencil 22|] a distance approximately three times the thickness of the stencil so that as the device operates a layer of spray-material builds up on the stencil to approximately three times the thickness of the stencil as indicated at 21| in Fig. 33.

The sprocket 235 is driven from the drum sprocket |38 by a sprocket chain 263. The sprockets 241, 248, 239, 259, and 242 are all driven from the sprocket 236 by an endless sprocket chain 264. l

As shown the sprocket chain 264 passes over the sprocket 236 and over the sprockets 241 and 248 thence back and under the sprocket 239, under an idler sprocket 265, over an idler sprocket 266, under the sprocket 259 and then upward and over an idler sprocket 261, thence downward under the sprocket 242 and then continues downward and under an idler sprocket 268 and thence upward to the sprocket 235. The idler sprocket 265 is suitably mounted on an adjustable support 269 which includes a threaded rod 210 having nuts 210 thereon by means of which the support may be moved to adjusted positions to retain the chain 263 in contact with its associated sprockets when the frame 245 or the frame 251 is moved.

When the device is operating the heating coil 23| in the drive drum 22| is operated to heat the drum and as the stencil passes thereover the heat from the drum dries the spray material collected on the stencil. As the stencil passes the knife roller 222 the excess amount of spray material over the predetermined thickness is removed from the stencil and as the stencil passes between the brushes 224 and 225 any shavings or dust thereon are brushed off. The suction device draws all the shavings from the knife roller and the refuse from the brushes oil the stencil and out of the frame 245 through the conduit 254 and the tube 255.

When the stencil passes between the ironing rollers 226 and 221 any lumps on the stencil are ironed smooth and the accumulated spray material may also be smoothed.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that I have invented a novel fruit branding apparatus which can be economically manufactured and which is highly efficient in use.

Having thus described my invention I claim:

1. In a fruit branding machine, a frame, a

'horizontal conveyor on the frame, a plurality of fruit holding members resiliently mounted on said conveyor, a drum adjacent said conveyor, an endless flexible stencil member, means to resiliently support said stencil member on said drum, means to move said drum and conveyor so that the marking areas of the stencil member.

are aligned during movement each with a fruit holding member, a stenciling station and a spraying device at the stenciling station.

2. In a fruit branding machine, a frame, a horizontal conveyor on the frame, a plurality of fruit holding frames resiliently mounted on said conveyor, a drum adjacent said conveyor, an endless stencil member engaging said drum, rollers on said frame and engaging said stencil member, certain of said rollers being resiliently supported to provide uniform tension in the stencil, means to move said drum and conveyor so that the marking areas of the stencil members are aligned during movement each with a fruit holding frame.

3. In a fruit branding machine, a frame, a horizontal conveyor on the frame, a plurality of fruit holding frames resiliently mounted on said conveyor, a drum adjacent said conveyor, said drum having spaced transversely extending spools thereon, an endless flexible stencil member engaging said spools, rollers on said frame and engaging said stencil member, certain of said rollers being resiliently supported to provide uniform tension in the stencil and means to advance said drum and conveyor so that the marking areas of the stencil members are each aligned during movement with a fruit holding frame.

4. In a fruit marking device, a marking station, a conveyor having a fruit holding member thereon, means to move said conveyor to said station, a flexible ribbon stencil, means to cause the stencil Yto engage a fruit in said member and to advance therewith, means to resiliently support said stencil, said fruit holding member being pivotally mounted to move towards and away from said stencil and means to resiliently urge said fruit holding member towards the stencil.

5. In a fruit marking apparatus, a base, means to support said base, a plurality of wheels supported on said base, chains mounted on said wheels, means to drive said chains, a plurality of conveyor devices, means to pivotally mount one end of each of said conveyor devices on said chains, other means to pivotally mount the other end of said conveyor devices, a fruit holding frame mounted on each of said conveyor devices and resilient means to urge said conveyor devices in one direction on their pivots.

6. In a fruit branding machine, a frame, a horizontal conveyor on the frame, a plurality of fruit holding frames resiliently mounted on said conveyor, a drum adjacent said conveyor, an endless ilexible stencil member engaging said drum, rollers on said frame and engaging said stencil member, certain of said rollers being resiliently supported to provide uniform tension in the stencil, means to move said drum and conveyor so that the marking areas of the stencil members are aligned during movement each with a conveying frame, a stenciling station, a spraying device at the 'stenciling station, a receptacle for stenciling material connected to the spraying device and means to actuate the spraying device.

7. In a fruit branding machine, a frame, a horizontal conveyor on the frame, a plurality of fruit holding frames on said conveyor, a drum adjacent said conveyor, said drum having transversely extending spaced spools thereon, an endless exible stencil member engaging said spools, rollers on said frame and engaging said stencil member, certain of said rollers being resiliently supported to provide uniform tension in the stencil, means to advance said drum and conveyor so that the marking areas of the stencil members are each aligned during movement with a conveying frame, a stenciling station, a spraying device at the stenciling station, a receptacle for stenciling material connected to the spraying device and means operated by the fruit holding frames to actuate the spraying device.

8. In a fruit branding machine, a pair of conveyor members mounted to move together in the same direction, a fruit holder resiliently mounted on one conveyor and an endless iiexible stencil member resiliently engaging the other conveyor, means to move said conveyors so that the marking areas of the stencil members are aligned during movement each with a fruit holder, a stenciling station, a spraying device at the stenciling station, and means to clean the stencil after each spraying operation.

9. In a fruit branding machine, a frame, a horizontal endless conveyor having resiliently mounted fruit holding members thereon, a drum adjacent said conveyor, an endless ilexible stencil member resiliently engaging said drum, means to move said drum and conveyor together so that the marking areas of the stencil members are aligned during movement each With a conveying frame, a stenciling station, a spraying device at the stenciling station, a tank, means to guide the stencil through said tank and means in the tank to clean the stencil. Y l Y 10. In a fruit marking apparatus, a continuously moving conveyor, a plurality of fruit baskets pivotally and resiliently mounted on the conveyor, means normally urging said fruit baskets away from the conveyor, a continuous, iiexible stencil resiliently mounted above the fruit baskets and movable parallel to and together with the fruit baskets and spray means associated with said stencil.

11. In a fruit marking apparatus, a base, a plurality of wheels mounted on said base, chains on said Wheels, means to drive said chains, a

plurality of fruit baskets, a plurality of sets of.

pairs of arms pivotally mounted on the chains, means on the arms pivotally engaging the fruit nieuwe;

baskets, resilient means normally urging said fruit baskets upwardly, a ilexible stencil resiliently movably mounted above the fruit baskets, a spraying device above the stencil, and means operated by said baskets for actuating said spraying device.

12. In a fruit branding machine, a, frame, a horizontal conveyor on the frame, a plurality of fruit holding frames on said conveyor, a drum adjacent said conveyor, said drum having transversely extending spools thereon, an endless flexible stencil member engaging said spools, means to move said'drum and conveyor so that the marking areas of the stencil members are aligned during movement each with a conveying frame, a drive drum, a knife roller engaging said stencil member, a backing roller positioned inline with said knife roller and urging the stencil'm'ember against the knife roller and a pair of superimposed roller brushes positioned beyond said knife roller, said stencil member being disposed between said roller brushes and means to drive said knife roller and said upper roller brush.

13. In a fruit marking machine, a travelling stencilling mechanism provided with a series of stencilling apertures, means operable in timed relation to said stencilling mechanism for feeding a procession of fruit into operative relation with said stencilling apertures, means for marking the fruit through said stencilling apertures, and means for cleaning said stencilling apertures after each marking operation thereof.

14. In a fruit marking machine, a flexible stencil, means for presenting fruit into operative engagement therewith to ilex the stencil into conformity with the contour of the fruit, and means for applying a marking material through the stencil onto fruit presented thereto.

l5. In a fruit branding apparatus, a frame, a horizontal conveyor on the frame, a plurality of fruit holding frames on said conveyor, a drum adjacent said conveyor, said drum having transversely extending spools thereon, an endless exible stencil member engaging said spools, a pair of idler rollers on said frame and engaging said stencil member, said idler rollers being resiliently supported to provide tension in the stencil, means to move said drum and conveyor so that the marking areas of the stencil members are aligned during movement each with a conveying frame, a drive drum intermediate said idler rollers, means to drive said drive drum.

16. In a fruit marking machine, a travelling flexible resiliently supported stencilling mechanism provided with a series of stencilling apertures, resiliently supported means movable parallel to the stencilling mechanism and operable in timed relation to said stencilling mechanism for feeding a procession of fruit into operative relation with said stencilling apertures, means for marking the fruit through said stencilling apertures, and means for cleaning said stencilling apertures after each marking operation thereof.

17. In a fruit marking machine, a continuously moving flexible resiliently mounted stencil, resiliently mounted means movable parallel to the stencil for presenting fruit into operative engagement therewith to flex the stencil into conformity with the contour of the fruit, and means for applying a marking material through the stencil onto fruit presented thereto.

HERBERT A. HAMM. 

